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Carp reinstated, Herrera optioned to Triple-A

5/27/14: Mike Carp is hit by a pitch from David Hale in the top of the seventh inning to load the bases for the Red Sox

By Ian Browne
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MLB.com |

BOSTON -- The Red Sox brought Mike Carp back to the mix on Monday, as the left-handed hitter returned from the right foot fracture that had sidelined him since June 1.

The activation of Carp came at the expense of utility man Jonathan Herrera, who was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket.

"He's done a lot of good things," Red Sox manager John Farrell said of Herrera. "He fits the role to a T, the utility role. It was a difficult conversation. He's a quality person, quality player. Stayed prepared and contributed when asked in the role that he was in."

Herrera was demoted just two days after his first career walkoff hit beat the Orioles.

"He occupies a role that's difficult -- to sit for seven or eight days and come in and play to the efficiency that he did," said Farrell. "We clearly view him as a Major League player and I would expect he would be back with us at some point this season."

With the Red Sox playing against lefty starters from Tuesday through Thursday, Carp could be used sparingly in his first few days back with the club. He was not in the lineup on Monday.

The stack up of lefties will provide an opportunity for Mookie Betts to get back in the mix.

The prospect has been out of the lineup for three of the last four days.

Even with Herrera gone, Farrell said that all of the playing time Betts gets will be in the outfield. Brock Holt, who is playing regularly in the outfield, will back up in the infield when the need arises.

Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Brownie Points, and follow him on Twitter @IanMBrowne. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.